Do You Believe This Samy Vellu Assurance?

The overcrowded Simpang Renggam detention centre here received a VIP visitor yesterday to ascertain allegations of human rights abuse.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, accompanied by Deputy Internal Security Ministers Datuk Fu Ah Kiow and Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, spent more than two hours at the detention centre. What they found were not signs of abuse but skin disease, and they were happy with the conditions at the centre.

The inspection was a Cabinet directive to clear the air on alleged beatings of detainees and the deplorable condition of the detention centre.

After talking to five inmates, Samy Vellu said he and the deputy ministers were pleased with conditions at the detention centre.

"The detainees receive training in carpentry, handicraft-making, tailoring and cooking. Their families also visit them regularly.

"I have seen prisons worse than this," he said, without elaborating on the other prisons he had visited.

Last month, Samy Vellu had told the Press that three ministers — Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi — were also assigned by the Cabinet to visit the centre.

On the purpose of his visit yesterday, he said it was to identify the weaknesses there and forward them to the Cabinet for further action.

While not touching on the alleged human rights abuse, Samy Vellu said there was an urgent need to address the inmates’ skin diseases.

"We will discuss the matter with the Cabinet soon."

He said he would organise a medical camp and seek skin specialists from Johor Baru, Negri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur to treat them. (NST)

***** So the Cabinet sends Samy Vellu to 'inspect' the detention centre and he gives a general thumbs-up. "Semuanya OK! We're pleased! Conditions here are fine!" Come on!!! Only early last month the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) gave a damning indictment on the conditions prevailing in Simpang Renggam describing them as deplorable. Now the government wants to counter that allegation by sending a major BN sandiwara star Samy Vellu. By the way why was Samy chosen to do the inspection? Because a large number of the inmates there are Indians? Why should Samy Vellu organise a medical camp and seek the help of skin specialists to treat detention centre inmates? Is that his job? Doesn't the health ministry want to treat them? Looks like even prisons are not spared the curse of Barisan politics.

So who do you think is telling the truth and nothing but the truth? Suhakam or the government?

Recommended read. Suhakam's findings on the centre:
Simpang Renggam Detention Centre - Malaysia's Very Own Abu Ghraib.
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